कथासरित्सागरः — प्रथमस्तरङ्गः

प्रथमस्तरङ्गः ।

तुष्टेन येन देहार्धमप्युमायै समर्पितम् ।
स वो ददात्वभिमतं वरदः पार्वतीपतिः ॥

Summary AI May the Lord of Pārvatī, who, being pleased, surrendered even half of his body to Umā, grant you your desired boons.

१४.१.२

निशि विघ्नजितो वो ऽव्यात्ताण्डवोद्दण्डितः करः ।
शोणश्चन्द्रातपत्रस्य तन्वन्विद्रुमदण्डताम् ॥

Summary AI May the reddened trunk of Vighnajit, raised high during his nightly dance and resembling a coral handle for the moon-parasol, protect you.

१४.१.३

ततो वत्सेश्वरसुतस्तास्तास्त्रैलोक्यसुन्दरीः ।
भार्या दधानस्तां चाद्यां देवीं मदनमञ्चुकाम् ॥

Summary AI Then, the son of the King of Vatsa, possessing those various beauties of the three worlds as his wives, and especially his primary queen, Madanamañcukā.

१४.१.४

नरवाहनदत्तो ऽत्र कौशाम्ब्यां गोमुखादिभिः ।
उवास सह संपूर्णकामः पितृविभूतिभिः ॥

Summary AI In Kauśāmbī, Naravāhanadatta, with all his desires fulfilled, lived along with Gomukha and others, amidst his father's royal splendors.

१४.१.५

तस्याभीष्टवधूसङ्गसुखामृतमनोरमाः ।
नृत्तगीतकथालापरम्यास्ते दिवसा ययुः ॥

Summary AI His days passed delightfully, enchanting with the nectar-like joy of his beloved wife's company and charming with dance, song, stories, and conversation.

१४.१.६

अथैकदा स तामग्र्यां कान्तां मदनमञ्चुकाम् ।
न ददर्शावरोधान्तर्न वा परिजनं क्व चित् ॥

Summary AI Then one day, he did not see his foremost beloved Madanamañcukā inside the inner apartments, nor did he see her attendants anywhere.

१४.१.७

तामनालोकयन्कान्तां स जगाम विवर्णताम् ।
रजनीविरहध्वस्तकान्तिरिन्दुरिवोषसि ॥

Summary AI Not beholding his beloved, he became pale, like the moon at dawn whose luster is destroyed by separation from the night.

१४.१.८

चित्तं जिज्ञासितुं किं नु च्छन्ना स्यात्क्वापि मे प्रिया ।
किं वापराधलेशात्सा कुतो ऽपि कुपितैव मे ॥

Summary AI He wondered, "Is my beloved hiding somewhere to test my heart? Or is she perhaps angry with me for some slight offense?"

१४.१.९

माययाच्छादिता केनाप्यथवापहृता नु किम् ।
इत्यनेकविकल्पौघविह्वलो ऽथ बभूव सः ॥

Summary AI Or has she been concealed by someone through magic? Or has she been abducted? Thus, he became overwhelmed by a flood of various doubts.

१४.१.१०

अन्वेषयन्यदा नैव लभते स्म कुतो ऽपि ताम् ।
संतेपे स तदोद्दामतद्वियोगदवाग्निना ॥

Summary AI When he could not find her anywhere despite searching, he was consumed by the fierce forest fire of separation from her.

१४.१.११

उपेत्य ज्ञातवृत्तान्तस्तस्य वत्सेश्वरः पिता ।
मातरः सचिवा भृत्याः सर्वे विह्वलतां ययुः ॥

Summary AI Having approached and learned the news, his father, the King of Vatsa, his mothers, ministers, and servants all fell into a state of agitation.

१४.१.१२

हारचन्दनचन्द्रांशुमृणालनलिनीदलैः ।
ववृधे तस्य संतापो न जगाम शमं पुनः ॥

Summary AI Even with pearl necklaces, sandalwood, moonbeams, lotus stalks, and lotus leaves, his torment only increased and did not find peace.

१४.१.१३

कलिङ्गसेना सद्यश्च विहीना सुतया तया ।
विद्याधरीव विभ्रष्टविद्या संमूढतां ययौ ॥

Summary AI Deprived of her daughter, Kaliṅgasenā immediately became bewildered, like a Vidyādharī who has lost her magic spells.

१४.१.१४

अथ तत्राब्रवीदेका वृत्तान्तःपुररक्षिका ।
नरवाहनदत्ताग्रे सर्वेष्वाकर्णयत्स्विदम् ॥

Summary AI Then, while everyone was listening, a certain experienced female guard of the inner apartments spoke these words in the presence of Naravāhanadatta.

१४.१.१५

हर्म्याग्रे तां तदा कन्यां सतीं मदनमञ्चुकाम् ।
दृष्ट्वावतीर्य नभसः सद्यो विद्याधरो युवा ॥

Summary AI Having seen that maiden Madanamañcukā on the terrace of the palace, a young Vidyādhara immediately descended from the sky.

१४.१.१६

यो ऽसौ मानसवेगाख्यो नामोक्त्वा समयाचत ।
कलिङ्गसेनामभ्येत्य देह्येतां मे सुतामिति ॥

Summary AI That youth, named Mānasavega, approached Kaliṅgasenā, announced his name, and begged, "Give this daughter to me."

१४.१.१७

तेनैतया निषिद्धेन सता गत्वा यथागतम् ।
इदानीं गुप्तमागत्य हृता सा किं न मायया ॥

Summary AI Having been rejected by her and having departed as he came, could he not have now returned secretly and abducted her through magic?

१४.१.१८

परदारगृहं नैव दिव्या यद्यपि कुर्वते ।
तथाप्यमार्गं मार्गं वा रागान्धः को हि पश्यति ॥

Summary AI Although divine beings do not usually violate the homes of others' wives, who indeed among those blinded by passion considers whether a path is right or wrong?

१४.१.१९

श्रुत्वैतच्चित्तमाकोपविमर्शविरहोत्प्लुतम् ।
नरवाहनदत्तस्य जज्ञे वीचिष्विवाम्बुजम् ॥

Summary AI Upon hearing this, Naravāhanadatta's mind, tossed by anger, reflection, and the pain of separation, became like a lotus amidst waves.

१४.१.२०

रुमण्वानथ वक्ति स्म पुरीयं रक्ष्यते ऽभितः ।
प्रवेशनिर्गमौ नेह विद्येते गमनं विना ॥

Summary AI Then Rumaṇvat said, "This city is guarded on all sides; there is no entry or exit here except by flying through the air."

१४.१.२१

हरप्रसादाच्चास्त्यस्या नानिष्टं तदिह स्थिता ।
क्व चित्प्रणयकोपात्सा तथा च श्रूयतां कथा ॥

Summary AI By Lord Śiva's grace, no harm can befall her. She is likely staying somewhere nearby due to a lover's tiff. Hear this story in that regard.

१४.१.२२

मुनिः पुराङ्गिरा नाम विवाहार्थमयाचत ।
अष्टावक्त्रस्य तनयां सावित्रीं नाम कन्यकाम् ॥

Summary AI Long ago, a sage named Aṅgiras asked the sage Aṣṭāvakra for the hand of his daughter, a young girl named Sāvitrī, in marriage.

१४.१.२३

अष्टावक्रो न तां तस्मै ददावङ्गिरसे सुताम् ।
सगुणायापि सावित्रीमन्यस्मै पूर्वकल्पिताम् ॥

Summary AI Although Aṅgiras was virtuous, Aṣṭāvakra did not give him his daughter Sāvitrī, as she had already been promised to another.

१४.१.२४

ततस्तद्भ्रातृतनयमश्रुतां नाम सो ऽङ्गिराः ।
उपयेमे तया साकं स तस्थौ भार्यया सुखम् ॥

Summary AI Subsequently, Aṅgiras married her brother’s daughter named Aśrutā and lived happily with her as his wife.

१४.१.२५

सा च भार्यास्य वेत्ति स्म सावित्रीं पूववाञ्छिताम् ।
एकदा सो ऽङ्गिरा मौनी जपन्नासीच्चिरं मुनिः ॥

Summary AI His wife was aware of his previous desire for Sāvitrī. One day, the sage Aṅgiras was observing a vow of silence and meditating for a long time.

१४.१.२६

भार्याथ सा तं पप्रच्छ मुहुः सप्रणयाश्रुता ।
चिरं किमार्यपुत्रैवं चिन्तयस्युच्यतामिति ॥

Summary AI Then his wife Aśrutā affectionately asked him repeatedly, "O noble husband, what are you contemplating so deeply for so long? Please tell me."

१४.१.२७

प्रिये ध्यायामि सावित्रीमित्युक्ते तेन साश्रुता ।
सावित्रीं तां मुनिसुतां मत्वात्मनि चुकोप ह ॥

Summary AI When he replied, "Dear, I am meditating on Sāvitrī," she mistook it for Sāvitrī the sage's daughter and became angry within herself.

१४.१.२८

दुर्भगो ऽयमिति त्यक्तुं देहं गत्वा वनं च सा ।
शुभं भर्तुरनुध्याय कण्ठे पाशं समर्पयत् ॥

Summary AI Thinking herself unfortunate, she went to the forest to end her life. Even while meditating on her husband's welfare, she placed a noose around her neck.

१४.१.२९

मा पुत्रि साहसं कार्षीः पत्या ध्याता न ते ऽङ्गना ।
ध्याताहं तेन सावित्रीत्युक्त्वा पाशाद्ररक्ष ताम् ॥

Summary AI The goddess Sāvitrī saved her, saying, "Daughter, do not commit such a rash act! Your husband was not meditating on another woman; he was meditating on me."

१४.१.३०

प्रकटीभूय गायत्री साक्षसूत्रकमण्डलुः ।
भक्तानुकम्पिनी चैतां समाश्वास्य तिरोदधे ॥

Summary AI The goddess Gāyatrī, holding a rosary and a water-pot and compassionate toward her devotees, revealed herself, comforted her, and then vanished.

१४.१.३१

अहैषाङ्गिरसा भर्त्रा संप्राप्तान्विष्यता वनात् ।
तदेवं दुःसहं स्त्रीणामिह प्रणयखण्डनम् ॥

Summary AI Then she was found in the forest by her searching husband Aṅgiras and brought back. Truly, a perceived slight in love is unbearable for women.

१४.१.३२

तत्स्वल्पेनापराधेन कुपितेह क्व चित्स्थिता ।
अन्वेष्या शंभुरक्ष्या सा राजपुत्रवधूः पुनः ॥

Summary AI Thus, she must be staying somewhere nearby, angered by a minor offense. That princess must be searched for, as Lord Śambhu protects her.

१४.१.३३

एवं रुमण्वता प्रोक्ते राजा वत्सेश्वरो ऽब्रवीत् ।
एवमेतन्न दुरितं तस्याः संभाव्यते यतः ॥

Summary AI When Rumaṇvat spoke thus, King Vatseśvara replied, "This is indeed true, for no misfortune can be expected for her."

१४.१.३४

नरवाहनदत्तस्य भार्या देवविनिर्मिता ।
कामांशस्यावतीर्णैषा रतिर्मदनमञ्चुका ॥

Summary AI Madanamañcukā, the wife of Naravāhanadatta, is divinely created; she is an incarnation of Rati, the consort of Kāma.

१४.१.३५

असौ विद्याधरैश्वर्यं दिव्यं कल्पं सहानया ।
करिष्यतीति दिव्या वागब्रवीन्न च तन्मृषा ॥

Summary AI A divine voice declared that he would enjoy the sovereignty of the Vidyādharas with her for a celestial age, and that prophecy cannot be false.

१४.१.३६

तदेषान्विष्यतां सम्यगिति राज्ञोदिते स्वयम् ।
नरवाहनदत्तः स तदवस्थो ऽपि निर्ययौ ॥

Summary AI When the king ordered a thorough search, Naravāhanadatta himself set out, despite his distressed condition.

१४.१.३७

यथायथा हि चिन्वानो न तां प्राप तथातथा ।
तेषु तेषु प्रदेशेषु सोन्माद इव सो ऽभ्रमत् ॥

Summary AI As he searched and failed to find her, he wandered through various regions like one driven to madness.

१४.१.३८

ओपेते तत्पुरात्तस्मिन्पिहितद्वारका गृहाः ।
तद्दुःखदर्शनोद्वेगादिव संमीलितेक्षणाः ॥

Summary AI When he left the city, the houses with their closed doors seemed to have shut their eyes in distress at seeing his grief.

१४.१.३९

वनेषु तं च पृच्छन्तं चलत्पल्लवपाणयः ।
न सा दृष्टा तवास्माभिरित्यूचुरिव पादपाः ॥

Summary AI In the forests, as he questioned them, the trees with their hands of moving leaves seemed to say, "We have not seen her."

१४.१.४०

उद्यानेषूत्पतन्तश्च खगास्तस्मै विचिन्वते ।
इतः सा न गतेत्येवं शशंसुरिव सारसाः ॥

Summary AI In the gardens, the birds flying up and the cranes seemed to announce to the searching prince, "She has not passed this way."

१४.१.४१

मरुभूतिर्हरिशिखो गोमुखः सवसन्तकः ।
ते ते च सचिवा भ्रेमुस्तामन्वेष्टुं समन्ततः ॥

Summary AI The ministers Marubhūti, Hariśikha, Gomukha, and Vasantaka wandered in all directions searching for her.

१४.१.४२

अत्रान्तरे वेगवती नाम विद्याधरी किल ।
कन्या दृष्टचरोदारवपुर्मदनमञ्चुका ॥

Summary AI Meanwhile, a vidyādharī named Vegavatī appeared, who had previously observed the noble and beautiful form of Madanamañcukā.

१४.१.४३

तदीयं रूपमास्थाय तस्थावुपवनान्तरे ।
आगत्यैकाकिनी स्वैरमत्राशोकतरोरधः ॥

Summary AI Assuming the form of Madanamañcukā, she came alone and stood at her own will under an aśoka tree within the garden.

१४.१.४४

तां ददर्श विचिन्वानो मरुभूतिः परिभ्रमन् ।
सद्यो विशल्यकरणीं सशल्यस्येव चेतसः ॥

Summary AI While searching and wandering, Marubhūti saw her, appearing like the Viśalyakaraṇī herb to his tormented and wounded heart.

१४.१.४५

नरवाहनदत्तं तं गत्वा हृष्टो जगाद सः ।
समाश्वसिहि दृष्टा ते मयोद्याने स्थिता प्रिया ॥

Summary AI Joyfully, he approached Naravāhanadatta and said, "Take heart! I have found your beloved staying in the garden."

१४.१.४६

इत्येवोक्तवता तेन साकं तत्क्षणमेव सः ।
नरवाहनदत्तस्तदुद्यानं मुदितो ययौ ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by the one who had spoken those words, the delighted Naravāhanadatta went to that garden at that very moment.

१४.१.४७

तत्रातिविरहक्लान्तो भार्यास्ं मदनमञ्चुकाम् ।
तामपश्यत्स तृषितो वारिधारामिवाध्वगः ॥

Summary AI Worn out by intense separation, he saw his wife Madanamañcukā there, just as a thirsty traveler sees a stream of water.

१४.१.४८

दृष्ट्वैवालिङ्गितुं तां च भृशार्तो यावदिच्छति ।
तावत्सा तं जगादैवं धूर्ता परिणयैषिणी ॥

Summary AI As the distressed prince desired to embrace her upon sight, that cunning woman, seeking marriage, spoke to him.

१४.१.४९

मां त्वं संप्रति मा स्प्राक्षीः शृणु तावद्वचो मम ।
मयोपयाचिता यक्षास्त्वत्प्राप्त्यै प्राग्विवाहतः ॥

Summary AI She said, "Do not touch me yet; first listen to my words. Before our marriage, I had prayed to the yakṣas to obtain you."

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